Jan. 11, 2007
Big Sky Profile: David Schroeder
Reprinted with permission from Jon Kasper and the Big Sky Conference (www.bigskyconf.com)
Sport: Basketball
School: Idaho State
Position: Guard
Year: Senior
Size: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
Major: Working on Master's Degree in financ
Hometown: Salmon, Idaho
Idaho State's David Schroeder is a senior all over again in 2006-07. Last April, Schroeder was granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA after missing nearly two full seasons with knee injuries. Schroeder is making the most of his final collegiate year. He's averaging 15.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He ranks in the top 10 in the Big Sky Conference in scoring, rebounding, steals, 3-point field goal percentage, and 3-point field goals made per game. The Bengals are also 2-0 in conference heading into Thursday's home game against Eastern Washington. Schroeder needs seven more points to reach 1,000 for his career. You can watch Schroeder and the Bengals all season long at www.bigskytv.org. Schroeder spent a few minutes on the phone with Jon Kasper of the Big Sky Conference. Let's get to know David Schroeder.
Q: You've suffered your share of knee injuries. By our count, you've torn Anterior Cruciate Ligaments in your knees three times. Do you have a lot of pain in your knees, and did you ever consider just giving up collegiate athletics?
A: Last season I had a lot of pain, it was just a year after I had my knee surgery. As the season went on, it subsided and went away. This year I haven't had a lot of pain. I feel great. After two consecutive ACL tears, I did consider hanging it up this year. The coach at the time persuaded me to. My parents thought it was a good idea, too. I was thinking about it. But I thought it would be a shame to waste an opportunity, and I wanted to play. I knew I could come back and do it.
Q: The Bengals are off to a 2-0 start in conference with a pair of road victories. How did playing the likes of Marquette, Illinois, Washington State and Texas A&M ready this team for conference season?
A: Well, it prepares you for playing on the road. We played in some really, really tough venues. It's difficult at times, and it might shake your confidence. You don't know how you are going to stack up in the Big Sky when you're playing top 25 teams in the nation. It prepares you, it toughens you. It gave us great experiences. We played against some good talent and some very tough coaches. We nearly came away with wins in some of those games. It gave our confidence a boost knowing we can do that against some of the better teams in the nation.
Q: Tell us about new coach Joe O'Brien, and what he's brought to the Bengals.
A: Well, he's a winner. That's been the biggest thing. He's hungry, really hungry to be successful. He hasn't been unsuccessful. He hated the non-conference schedule because we came up with eight losses before Christmas, and that's something he's never experienced. He's a winner, he's hungry, and he won't accept losing.
Q: You're Idaho State's all-time leader in 3-point field goals made. What's the key to the 3-pointer, and when do you pull the trigger, or look to pass?
A: To be honest, shooting is a huge mental thing. A lot of times you need to be ready to shoot any time you catch the ball, that way even if you are covered you can make the shot if you are ready and expecting it. Shooters have a kind of mental state where they are already ready to shoot. Once you get comfortable in an offense, in the sets, you kow where the shots are going to come. It's kind of a mind set, confidence and belief to know you can take the shot and make the shot.
Q: You've already earned your degree in business management, and working on a Master's Degree in Finance. What do you hope to do with those degrees?
A: I hadn't really planned on getting my masters when I came to ISU. Maybe in the future, but not by the time I was done with basketball. I need two more classes after the spring to finish up my masters, and I'll do that. My parents are involved with aviation, and I have a strong interest in aviation. I might get involved with that. Or, I could go into corporate America. There are options for a grad student with and MBA. I have interest in finance, too.
Q: Tell us more about your interest in aviation. Do you fly?
A: Well, I got my pilots licence when I was 19. I've been flying for four years now. I'll bum an airplane off my parents, sometimes they have some that are not in use. I don't fly in the winter because of basketball, I don't have time. I'll fly places just to fly. You have to build up hours and experience to get additional ratings. I'll take my friends, and go. We'll go grab breakfast up in Montana, and fly back. When I took summer school, I'd fly between Salmon and Pocatello. I did that a couple of summers ago. I don't have a commercial licence, so I can't do it for money. I'm working on that, building hours. I find an excuse to fly somewhere if there is an airplane available.
Q: You're one of the best all-around athletes in the Big Sky Conference, also competing in the decathlon. Does playing basketball prepare you for the decathlon?
A: Maybe it does. There is a lot of running, jumping, acceleration, and strength is a factor in basketball. I've always looked at the decathlon as a way to prepare me for basketball. It's sort of cross-training. It's a different sport, though. Even though I might be in great shape in March, I have a long way to go before joining the track team.
Fun Facts
Favorite Movie: Braveheart
Favorite TV Show: Lost
What kind of music do you like: Classic Rock: The Doobie Brothers, The Who, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Favorite thing about Pocatello: I like the hills and mountains around it. It's not a big city, and you're close to a lot of outdoor things.
Favorite Restaurant in Pocatello: We got to Applebee's after every game. I prefer to cook.
Other than Pocatello, your favorite place to play in the Big Sky: Montana has always been a great place to play. It's close to Salmon, so lots of Salmon people come to the game. They've got a rowdy crowd, and nice facilities. It's a good college atmosphere.
Favorite Pro Athlete: I'm a big fan of Dwyane Wade right now.
Favorite Class: Strategic Management. The professor was Bob Brown. I really enjoyed it.
